The SHIN-NY is a “network of networks” that links New York’s nine regional Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs) throughout the state. Each RHIO (or Qualified Entity/QE) operates its own network that collects electronic health records from participating providers. Today, these regional networks combined already connect 84% of hospitals in New York State, thousands of medical providers, and represent millions of people who live in or receive care in NY.

With the SHIN-NY, patients will no longer have to wait for phone calls, copy and carry records, or repeat tests. And the SHIN-NY is safe—it is overseen by the New York State Department of Health and governed by federal HIPAA and State privacy and security policies and standards. Through the SHIN-NY, all providers treating a patient will have access to that patient’s health history, and in doing so, the SHIN-NY provides the foundation for vastly improving the quality of care across the state. The SHIN-NY can also help providers achieve Meaningful Use of their electronic health record systems by fulfilling the MU Stage 2 view/download/transmit requirement.

The SHIN-NY’s security requirements are strict, meaning that a patient’s health records will NOT be publicly accessible. Security measures include encryption and identity proofing, password protection, intrusion detection, and multiple firewalls. Patient information in the SHIN-NY is protected under HIPAA, other applicable Federal and State Laws, and national data exchange standards (IHE & Healtheway), making your data safe and secure.

A RHIO is a local hub where a region’s electronic health information is stored and shared. There are nine RHIOs in New York State that each cover different areas from Buffalo to New York City. These RHIOs are the backbone of the SHIN-NY, providing the services that make secure, vital access to a patient’s health information possible statewide.

Meaningful Use Resources

Meaningful Use was created to ensure using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities, engage patients and family, improve care coordination, population and public health, and maintain privacy and security of patient health information.

The ACP has created a list of useful links to assist with the ever changing landscape of meaningful use that includes EHR participation timelines, handy pocket guides, toolkits for each stage of Meaningful Use, and guides to privacy and security of health information.

In October 2015, CMS released a final rule that specifies criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet in order to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The final rule’s provisions encompass 2015 through 2017 (Modified Stage 2) as well as Stage 3 in 2018 and beyond.

To help eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) successfully participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs in 2016, CMS has posted new resources on the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website.

To assist you in evaluating EHR systems, ACP and Cientis Technologies developed AmericanEHR Partners. In collaboration with over 15 other medical societies, American EHR Partners is a free, web-based resource that provides an unbiased view of all available EHR/EMR systems. Using our tools, you will be better prepared to compare, implement and effectively use an EHR in your office. In addition, you have access to overall satisfaction data alongside Meaningful Use Attestation records for each EHR system.

You will find many interactive tools, educational materials, and podcasts to assist you and your staff, including:

The EHR Readiness Assessment Tool: Helps assess a number of critical areas and gauges the effort and commitment required to make EHR adoption successful.

The American College of Physicians (ACP), the Bipartisan Policy Center, and Doctors Helping Doctors Transform Health Care have released the results of a survey that reveals an overwhelming majority of clinicians believe that the electronic exchange of health information will have a positive impact on improving the quality of patient care, coordinating care, meeting the demands of new care models, and participating in third-party reporting and incentive programs.

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